Blister card systems and methods for assemblying the systems

ABSTRACT

Blister card systems and methods package at least one retail product and have a top card with a top side, a bottom side located opposite to the top side of the top card and at least one window extending through the top card from the top side to the bottom side of the top card. The systems and methods have a security band attaching a retail product to a carrier and a bottom card connected to the bottom side of the top card, wherein at least a portion of the carrier is located between the top and bottom cards, and further wherein at least a portion of the retail product extends outwardly, with respect to the top side of the top card, from the at least one window of the top card. The carrier, optionally, has a width that is less than a width of the retail product, and a stretchable film, optionally, covers the at least one window and/or at least a portion of thee retail product extending outward from the at least one window.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to one or more blister card systemsand/or one or more methods for assembling the one or more blister cardsystems. The systems and methods may be utilized to package and/orprotect one or more retail products and/or to display one or more retailproducts in, for example, a retail environment and/or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Blister card systems are generally used to display, organize anddispense retail products stored therein within a retail environment. Theblister card systems traditionally are hung or suspended from hooksand/or pegs in a retail environment and are easily removed from thehooks and/or pegs by consumers for examination and/or purchase of theretail products by the consumers. The hooks and/or pegs, attached todisplay shelves, often suspend the retail products from one or morecut-outs formed within packaging of the blister card systems. Knownblister card systems have pre-formed plastic packaging which include atleast one preformed plastic cavity sized and configured to receive andstore one or more the retail products and a backing that is sized andconfigured to enclose the retail products within the preformed plasticcavity. Often preformed plastic cavity is made from thermoformed plasticand the backing is made from a paper-based material, such as, forexample, a cardboard or paperboard, a metal foil or a plastic.

The size and shape of the preformed plastic cavity is based on the sizeand shape of the retail products being store and enclosed within thepreformed plastic cavity of the blister card system. Because differentretail products, more often than not, have different sizes and/orshapes, the sizes and shapes of the preformed plastic cavities must alsohave different corresponding sizes and/or shapes. As a result, specialtooling equipment or machines must be used to produce each preformedplastic cavity that has a different size and/or shape and expensivesealing equipment or machines are necessary to seal each preformedplastic cavity that has a different size and/or shape. Moreover,producing and sealing different preformed plastic cavities havingdifferent sizes and/or shapes requires manufactures or producers topurchase, utilize, maintain and repair multiple tooling and/or sealingequipment or machines. As a result, the purchasing, utilizing,maintaining and repairing of the multiple tooling and/or sealingequipment or machines to produce and seal different sized and/or shapedpreformed plastic cavities makes manufacturing different blister cardsystems for different retail product costly, untimely and often verylabour intensive.

The systems and methods set forth in the present disclosure may produceand seal different blister card systems for storing and enclosingdifferent retail products having different sizes and/or shapes withoutrequiring the use of costly preformed plastic cavities and/or multipletooling and/or sealing equipment machines. Moreover, the present systemsand methods may reduce costs, production times and labour requirementsassociated with producing and sealing the different blister card systemsby utilizing one or more of the following structural features: a topcard having at least one cut-out window; at least one carrier locatedbetween the top card and a bottom card, which may optionally be hingedto the top card and/or have at least one cut-out window; and one or morecompliant films covering the cut-out window(s) for enclosing at leastone retail product between the one or more compliant films and thebottom card and/or the at least one carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an embodiment, a blister card system packages at least one retailproduct and has a top card having a top side, a bottom side locatedopposite to the top side of the top card and at least one windowextending through the top card from the top side to the bottom side ofthe top card. Further the system has a security band attaching a retailproduct to a carrier at a point of attachment and at least a portion ofa bottom card connected to at least a portion of the bottom side of thetop card, wherein at least a portion of the carrier is located betweenthe top and bottom cards, and further wherein at least a portion of theretail product extends outwardly, with respect to the top side of thetop card, through the at least one window of the top card.

In embodiments, a width of the carrier at a point of attachment issubstantially equal to or less than a width of the retail product at thepoint of attachment.

In embodiments, the security band is an elastic band wrapped, in awidthwise direction, around the carrier and the retail product.

In embodiments, the system has an adhesive layer adhering the carrier toat least a portion of the bottom card.

In embodiments, a length of the carrier is greater than a length of theat least one window formed in the top card such that top and bottom endsof the carrier extend beyond top and bottom edges of the at least onewindow.

In embodiments, the system has a stretchable film covering the at leastone window formed in the top card and at least a portion of the retailproduct.

In embodiments, a width of a portion of the carrier is greater than awidth of the at least one window formed in the top card such thatopposite edges of the width of the carrier extends beyond side edges ofthe width of the at least one window.

In embodiments, a system has a top card having a top side, a bottom sidelocated opposite to the top side of the top card and at least one windowextending through the top card from the top side to the bottom side ofthe top card, at least one product assembly comprising a retail productand a carrier, wherein a width of the carrier, at least at a point alonga length of the carrier, is less than a width of the retail product, ata point along a length of the retail product, and at least a portion ofa bottom card connected to at least a portion of the bottom side of thetop card, wherein a first portion of the at least one product assemblyis located between the top and bottom cards, and further wherein asecond portion of the at least one product assembly is located withinthe at least one window formed in the top card.

In embodiments, the system has a security band attaching the retailproduct to the carrier to form the at least one product assembly.

In embodiments, the security band is an elastic band wrapped, in awidthwise direction, around the retail product and the carrier.

In embodiments, the system has an adhesive layer adhering the carrier toat least a portion of the bottom card.

In embodiments, a length of the carrier is greater than a length of theat least one window formed in the top card such that top and bottom endsof the carrier extend beyond top and bottom edges of the at least onewindow.

In embodiments, the system has a stretchable film covering the at leastone window formed in the top card and at least a portion of the retailproduct.

In embodiments, the stretchable film is attached to a portion of thebottom side of the top card.

In an embodiment, a method packages a retail product and comprisesproviding a cradle on a conveyer belt system, wherein the cradlecomprises a cavity configured to receive the retail product, positioninga top card on the cradle such that a top side of the top card isadjacent to the cavity of the cradle, wherein the top card has a windowformed therein and the window is covered with a stretchable film andconfigured to receive the retail product, wherein the stretchable filmis connected to a bottom side of the top card that is located oppositeto the top side of the top card, positioning the retail product withinthe window of the top card and the cavity of the cradle such that theretail product extends outwardly, with respect to the top side of thetop card, through the window formed in the top card and into the cavityof the cradle, and joining at least one portion of a bottom card to thebottom side of the top card via sealing means.

In embodiments, the method comprises dropping the retail product intothe window of the top card and the cavity of the cradle before adheringthe at least one portion of the bottom card to the bottom side of thetop card.

In embodiments, the method comprises adhering at least a portion of theretail product to a least a portion of the stretchable film of the topcard via an adhering means, wherein the portion of the stretchable filmis located within the window of the top card.

In embodiments, the method comprises adhering at least a portion of theretail product to a portion of the bottom card before joining the topand bottom cards together.

In embodiments, the portion of the bottom card is a fold-out portionthat extends outwardly with respect to the top side of the bottom card.

In embodiments, the method comprises extending at least a portion of theretail product outwardly with respect to a bottom side of the bottomcard through a window formed through the bottom card when the top andbottom card are joined, wherein the bottom side of the bottom card islocated opposite with respect to the top card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

So that the features and advantages of the present disclosure can beunderstood in detail, a more particular description of the systems andmethods, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, thatthe appended drawings illustrate only some typical embodiments of thepresent systems and methods and are therefore not to be consideredlimiting of its scope, for the systems and methods may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a blister card systemin an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a blister card system in anembodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of a carrier in an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top plan view of a top card having differentlyshaped windows formed therein in an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plane view of a carrier in an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top plane view of a carrier in an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top plan view of a top card having film pocketscovering differently shaped windows formed therein in an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a blister card system havinghinged top and bottom cards with cut-out windows formed therein in anembodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a blister card system havingbottom card hinged to a top card having cut-out windows formed thereinin an embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a blister card system having abottom card, with a fold out portion, hinged to a top card having acut-out window formed therein in an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure sets forth blister card systems and/or methods ofassembling blister card systems for packaging, securing, storing,enclosing, protecting, displaying and/or offering-for-sale one or moreretail products. The systems and methods may package a retail product,banded widthwise to a carrier, adhered to a bottom card or adhered to afilm or fold out portion of the bottom card, between a top card and thebottom card such that the retail product may extend through a windowformed in the top and/or bottom cards for displaying the retail product.In embodiments, two or more windows may be formed in the top card and/orbottom cards for each displaying retail products. In other embodiments,one or more windows may be formed in the top card and/or bottom cardwhereby each window is sized and shaped to display one or more retailproducts. In embodiments, the top and bottom cards may be hingedtogether such that the bottom card may be folded over onto the top cardor the top card may be folded over onto the bottom card.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,the present systems and methods may provide at least one blister cardsystem 2 (hereinafter “system 2”) as shown in FIG. 1, configured topackage at least one retail product. In embodiments, the system 2 may besized, shaped and/or configured to package, for example, one or moreretail products 4 (hereinafter “products 4”). Moreover, it should beunderstood that the present disclosure is not limited to a specificembodiment of the number of products 4 which may be packaged within thesystem 2. For example, the system 2 may package two products 4 as shownin FIGS. 1 and 4; however, it should be understood that the system 2 maybe shaped, sized and/or configured to package any number of products 4as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The products 4 may be, for example, cosmetic products, consumerproducts, food products, hard goods, durable goods, soft goods,consumables, consumer-grade goods, professional-grade goods and/or thelike. In embodiments, the products 4 may be at least one or moreover-the-counter retail products (hereinafter “OTC products”). The OTCproducts may be, for example, cosmetics, analgesics, medications,pharmaceuticals, razors, razor blades, camera film, batteries, videos,DVDs, smoking cessation products, infant formula, lip sticks, nailpolishes, toothbrushes, vitamins, personal care products, home careproducts, toothbrushes, foodstuffs, packaged foods, kitchen supplies,bags, boxes, containers and/or the like. In embodiments, the products 4,which may be secured, stored, displayed and/or dispensed via the system2, may be the same retail products, similar retail products, differentretail products or a combination of same and different retail products.In embodiments, the products 4 may have same, similar and/or differentsizes, shapes and/or configurations. For example, the products 4 may befinger/toe nail polish as shown in FIG. 1; however, the products 4 thatmay be any retail product(s) known to one of ordinary skill in the artthat are configured, adapted, shaped and/or sized to be packed withinthe system 2.

The system 2 and/or the products 4 may be accessible by a consumerthrough a front-side of a divider or shelf system (not shown in thedrawings). In embodiments, the system 2 may have a cut-out opening (notshown in the drawings) which may enable the system 2 to be suspendedfrom a hook or a peg (not shown in the drawings) associated with thedivider or shelf system. A consumer may remove and/or separate thesystem 2 from divider or shelf system and/or from the hook or peg toexamine the products 4 packaged, secured, stored, enclosed, protectedand/or displayed within the system 2. If desirable, the consumer maypurchase or offer-to-buy the system 2 and/or the products 4. Afterwhich, the products 4 may be separated and/or removed from the system 2by the consumer and the system 2 may be discarded and/or recycled by theconsumer.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the system 2, in an embodiment, having at least onetop card 10 (hereinafter “top card 10”), at least one bottom card 20(hereinafter “bottom card 20”) and/or one or more carriers 30(hereinafter “carriers 30”) for the products 4. In embodiments, the topcard 10, the bottom card 20 and/or the carriers 30 may be die cut cardsand/or carriers, respectively. In embodiments, the top card 10 and thebottom card 20 may be hinged together via a hinge 80 (as shown in FIGS.8 and). Each of the products 4 of the system 2 may be placed orpositioned on one of the carriers 30 and/or may be attached and/orconnected to one of the carriers 30. The top card 10, the bottom card 20and/or the carriers 30 may be made of materials, such as, for example,paper-based materials as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Forexample, the top card 10, the bottom card 20 and/or the carriers 30 maybe made of card stock or may be a plastic card and/or carrier.

In embodiments, the top card 10, the bottom card 20 and/or the carriers30 may be made of any materials that are capable, physically, of beingsecurely combined together to assembly and/or form the system 2. Forexample, the top card 10, the bottom card 20 and/or the carriers 30 maybe made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting ofpaper corrugated or wood based materials, blister boards, coated styrenebutadiene styrene, corrugated fibreboard, E-Flute corrugated fibreboard,stone paper, ceramic sheets, wood, melamine, standardized layers orsheets or combinations thereof. It should be understood that the presentdisclosure is not limited to a specific embodiment of the materials thatmay be used to make the top card 10, the bottom card 20 and/or thecarriers 30 of the system 2.

In embodiments, printed indicia may be displayed on one or more surfacesof the top card 10, the bottom card 20 and/or the carriers 30. Theindicia may be printed on the one or more surfaces of the top card 10,the bottom card 20 and/or the carriers 30 by one or more known printingtechniques. The top card 10, the bottom card 20 and/or the carriers 30may be produced, cut and/or formed by one or more die tools orequipment. The present disclosure should not be deemed as limited to aspecific embodiment of the materials of the top card 10, the bottom card20 and/or the carriers 30 and/or the shape of the perimeter of thecarriers 30.

In an embodiment, at least one security band 50 may be wrapped widthwisearound each product 4 positioned on each carrier 30 such that eachproduct 4 is firmly banded widthwise to one of the carriers 30 via eachsecurity band 50. The security band 50 may be made of one or morebanding materials such that each security band 50 may by stretched, orwrapped around the carrier 30 and product 4 widthwise. As a result, theproduct 4 and carrier 30 are banded together at a point of attachment52, via the security band 50, to form a product assembly 4, 30, 50(hereinafter “product assembly”) as shown in FIG. 2. In embodiment, thesecurity band may comprise a single band layer or more than one bandlayer.

The security band 50 may have opposite ends (not shown in the drawings)which may be securely connected and/or attached together to securelystretch or wrap the security band 50 around the carrier 30 and product 4widthwise. In embodiments, the opposite ends of the security band 50 maybe firmly and securely connected and/or attached together via heatsealing the ends together or by one or more selected from an adhesive, acohesive, a glue or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the securityband 50 may be applied to each product 4 and each carrier 30 by awrapping or banding tool or machine and/or heat sealed around eachproduct 4 and each carrier 30. In an embodiment, application of thesecurity bands 50 to the products 4 and the carriers 30 may be completedby utilizing, for example, one or more heat sealing techniques and/orsplicing techniques as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The banding materials of the top card 10, the bottom card 20 and/or thecarriers 30 may be one or more elastic materials capable of firmly andsecurely wrapping the security band 50 around each product 4 and eachcarrier 30. In an embodiment, the banding material may be polyethylene(hereinafter “PE”) selected from the group consisting of linear lowdensity PE, ultra low density PE, low density PE, medium density PE,high density PE and combinations thereof. The present disclosure shouldnot be deemed to be limited to a specific embodiment of the elasticmaterial of the security bands 50 which may be any elastic material orband as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The security bands 50 may have a width which may be sized, shaped,adapted and/or configured to firmly and securely band each product 4 andeach carrier 30 together to form the product assemblies. The point ofattachment 52 is defined as a location or position along the lengths ofeach product 4 and each carrier 30 at which the security band 50 wraps,in a widthwise direction, around the product 4 and the carrier 30,connecting each product 4 to each carrier 30. As a result of the sizedwidth of the security bands 50, each of the products 4 may be firmlyconnect, attached and/or secured to one of the carriers 30. Securing theproducts 4 to the carriers 3 may maintain and/or uphold an orientationof the products 4 and/or the product assemblies with respect to eachother and/or to the system 2 after joining the top card 10 and thebottom card 20. It should be understood that the following terms may beused interchangeably throughout the present disclosure: sized; shaped;adapted; and configured.

In embodiments, each carrier 30 may have a perimeter having ageometrical shape selected from a circular shape, an oval shape, asquare shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a polygonal shapeand combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments, the perimeter ofeach carrier 30 may be, for example, rectangle-shaped, oval-shaped,popsicle-stick-shaped, pin-shaped or bottle-shaped. A length of eachcarrier 30 may be greater than a width of each carrier 30. In preferredembodiments, the perimeter of each carrier 30 may be less than theperimeter of each product 4 connected thereto.

In an embodiment, each carrier 30 may have a perimeter 32 comprising,for example, an upper portion 34, an indented portion 36 and/or a lowerportion 38 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. A width of the indented portion 36may be, for example, equal to or less than a width of the upper portion34 and/or the lower portion 38. As a result, the perimeter 32 of thecarrier 30 may have an hour-glass shape as shown in FIG. 3 or a pinshape as shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 3 the indented portion 36 maybe formed or positioned about or around a midpoint along the length ofthe carrier 30. Alternatively, the indented portion 36 may be formed orpositioned closer or near to the upper portion 34 (as shown in FIG. 5)or the lower portion 38 (not shown in the drawings). In an embodiment,the indented portion 36 may extend from the upper portion 34 to theopposite end of the carrier 30 (as shown in FIG. 6) or from the lowerportion 38 to the opposite end of the carrier 30 (not shown in thedrawings). In an embodiment, the point of attachment 52 for the productand carrier 30 may be located or positioned at or within the indentedportion 36 of the carrier 30 as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. When theproduct 4 is connected to the carrier 30 at the point of attachment 52located within the indented portion 36 of the carrier via the securityband 50, a width of the product 4 at the point of attachment 52 may begreater than at least the width of the indented portion 36 of thecarrier 30. As a result of the lesser width of the indented portion 36of the carrier 30, the product 4 may be firmly connect, attached orsecured to the carrier 30 at the point of attachment 52 via the securityband 50.

In embodiments, the width of the security bands 50 may be, for example,greater than 5 millimetres (hereinafter “mm”) wide, less than 100 mmwide, less than 50 mm wide, about 35 mm wide or about 30 mm wide. As aresult, the security bands 50 may cover, encircle and/or enclose atleast a portion of the product 4, such as, for example, less than ninety(90) percent of the product 4 or more than five (5) percent of theproduct 4. In embodiments, the security bands 50 may have thickness of,for example, less than about 0.01 inches thick, greater than about0.0005 inches thick, or about 0.00120 inches thick. The presentdisclosure should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment ofthe widths and/or thicknesses of the security bands 50.

The top card 10 has one or more windows 60 (hereinafter “the windows60”) formed therein for displaying, housing, securing and/or storing theproducts 4 and/or the product assemblies within the system 2 after thetop card 10 and bottom card 20 are joined. The windows 60 of the topcard 10 extends through the top card 10 from a top side of the top card10 to an opposite bottom side of the top card 10. The windows 60 areconfigured to receive, house and/or store at least a portion of theproducts 4 and/or the product assemblies after the system 2 is assembledby connecting, attaching and/or adhering at least a portion of the topcard 10 and at least a portion of the bottom card 20 together. Inembodiments, one or more of the windows 60 formed in the top card 10 maybe configured to receive two or more products 4, each banded to aseparate carrier 30 or to the same carrier 30 (not shown in thedrawings). The windows 60 may be, for example, cut-out windows formed inthe top card by cut-out or punch-out techniques as known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

In embodiments, the windows 60 may be configured to receive, houseand/or store the products 4 along with the security bands 50 which areconnecting the products 4 to the carriers 30. In an embodiment, thewindows 60 may each have a perimeter that may be the same as,substantially the same as, substantially similar to, or greater than theperimeters of the products 4. The perimeters of the windows 60 maycomprise a geometrical shape selected from a circular shape, an ovalshape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, apolygonal shape and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, theperimeters of the windows 60 may be the same as, substantially similarto or corresponding to the perimeters of the products 4. In embodiments,the perimeters of the windows 60 may be differently shaped perimeters asshown in FIG. 4. In embodiments, the products 4 may firmly fit or bepositioned within the windows 60 or within the perimeters of the windows60 after the top card 10 and bottom card 20 are joined together.

The carriers 30 and/or the product assemblies may be adhered, bonded orglued, connected, attached and/or secured to a top side of the bottomcard 20 before the system 2 is be assembled by joining the top card 10and the bottom card 20. In an embodiment, at least one first adhesivelayer 62 (hereinafter “the first adhesive layer 62”) may adhere a bottomside of the carrier 30 to the top side of the bottom card 20 as shown inFIG. 2. As a result, the carriers 30, the products 4 and/or the productassemblies may be connected, attached and/or adhered to the bottom card20 via first adhesive layer 62. Additionally, when the top card 10 andthe bottom card 20 are joined, at least a portion of the carriers 3 willbe located between the top side of the bottom card 20 and the products 4and/or the top card 10. In embodiments, the carrier 30 and the bottomcard 20 and/or the top card 10 and the bottom card 20 may be joinedtogether by one or more joining compositions selected from a hotmeltadhesive, a cold glue, a cohesive, a double sided tape, a single sidedtape with an adhesive on its back side, an animal glue and combinationsthereof. In embodiments, the carrier 30 and the bottom card 20 and/orthe top card 10 and the bottom card 20 may be joined together by one ormore hot melt or clam shell adhesive techniques as known to one ofordinary skill in the art. It should be understood that the followingterms may used interchangeably throughout the present disclosure:adhered; bonded; glued; connected; and attached. It should also beunderstood that the present disclosure is not deemed as limited to aspecific joining composition for joining together the carrier 30 and thebottom card 20 and/or the top card 10 and the bottom card 20.

When the top card 10 and the bottom card 20 are joined together toassemble or form the system 2, at least portions of the productassemblies and/or the products 4 may extend outwardly through and/orfrom the windows 60 of the top card 10. Thus, at least portions of theproduct assemblies and/or the products 4 may be displayed and/orviewable via the windows 60 after connecting the bottom side of the topcard 10 to the top side of the bottom card 20. In an embodiment, whenthe products 4 extend outwardly from the windows 60 of the top card 10,the products 4 may be, for example, one or more safety sealed productsand/or one or more packaged products. In an embodiment, at least onesecond adhesive layer 64 (hereinafter “the second adhesive layer 64”)may connect, and/or adhere at least a portion of the bottom side of thetop card 10 to at least a portion of the top side of the bottom card 20as shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the top card 10 and the bottom card 20may be connected and/or joined together via the second adhesive layer64. Moreover, when the system 2 is assembled, the first adhesive layer62 may be located adjacent to, may contact and/or may interface with thesecond adhesive layer 64. In preferred embodiments, the first adhesivelayer 62 and/or the second adhesive layer 64 (hereinafter “adhesivelayers 62, 64”) may comprise the one or more joining compositions.

In embodiments, the adhesive layers 62, 64 may be applied together tothe top side of the bottom card 20. When the adhesive layers 62, 64 areapplied together onto the top side of the bottom card 20, the carrier 30and/or the product assembly may be connected to the bottom card 20 andthe top card 10 may be joined to the bottom card immediately thereafter.In embodiments, the first adhesive layer 62 may be excluded from system2 and the second adhesive layer 64 may be applied to a larger portion ofthe top side of the bottom card 20 such that the carrier 30, productassembly and/or bottom side of the top card 10 may be adhered to thebottom card via the second adhesive layer 64 (not shown in thedrawings).

In an embodiment, the first adhesive layer 62 may be excluded from thesystem 2 and the top card 10 may apply force to the carrier 30 and/orthe product assembly when the top card 10 is joined to the bottom card20 via the second adhesive layer 64. As a result, at least a portion ofthe product 4, the carrier 30 and/or the product assembly may be held ormaintained in position within the system 2 and/or between the top card10 and the bottom card 20 by the force applied to the carrier 30 and/orproduct assembly from or by the top card 10.

A consumer may, if desired, examine and/or view the portion of theproduct assemblies and/or the products 4 which may be extendingoutwardly from the windows 60 formed in the top card 10. The windows 60may allow a consumer or other third party to visually and/or physicallyexamine the products 4 of the system 2 via the windows 60 formed in thetop card 10. Moreover, after examining and/or viewing the products 4 viathe windows 60, a consumer may desire to purchase the products 4,packaged by the system 2.

The portions of the product assemblies and/or the products 4, which areencircled by the security bands 50, firmly connect, attach and/or securethe products 4 to the carriers 30, the bottom card 20 and/or the system2. As a result, the encircling or banding by the security bands 50 mayprevent or substantially prevent the products 4 and/or the productassemblies from being separated or removed from the top card 10, thebottom card 10, the carriers 30 and/or the system 2. As a result, thesecurity bands 50 may prevent or reduce theft of, damage to and/ordestruction of the products 4 by firmly securing the products 4 withinthe system 2.

Moreover, since the carriers 30 are connected to top side of the bottomcard 20, the carriers 30 and/or the security bands 50 may also preventor substantially prevent the products 4 and/or product assemblies frombeing separated or removed from the top card 10, the bottom card 20and/or the system 2. As a result, the bottom card 20, the carriers 30and/or the security bands 50 may prevent or reduce theft of, damage toand/or destruction of the products 4 by firmly securing the productswithin the system 2.

In embodiments, at least one of the windows 60 of the top card 10 may becovered by at least one compliant film 65 (hereinafter “film 65”) whichmay be connected or adhered to the bottom side of the top card 10. Thefilm 65 may be a stretchable film which may, in an embodiment, be aclear compliant plastic film layer, such as, in a preferred embodiment,a polyvinyl chloride film layer that may be adhered to the bottom sideof the top card 10. The film 65 may comprise a single film layer or morethan one film layer. The film 65 may be at least a single sheet filmhaving a perimeter 70 which may be configured to cover the at least onewindows 60, or all of the windows 60, formed in the top card 10. Theperimeter 70 of the film 65, in an unstretched state or manner, may belarge enough that the film 65 may cover more than one of the windows 60and/or may allow the film 65 to be connect to one or more portions ofthe bottom side of the top card 10 surrounding and/or located adjacentto the windows 60. In the unstretched state or manner, the film 65 mayextend across the one or more windows 60 in a firmly tensioned state ormanner.

In embodiments, the film 65 may be made from at least one clearcompliant film or heat activated clear film. Heat active films becomeloose or relaxed and extremely pliant when activated by heat, and thensubsequently harden when cooled. For example, the at least one heatactivated film may be, for example, a skin film as known to one ofordinary skill in the art. In embodiments, the film 65 may be any filmlayer type that is capable of being laminated and/or attached to theback side of the top card 10, which may provide a plurality ofcharacteristics that may be derived from different materials used ineach layer of a multiple layered film 65, as well as a total number offilm layers that may be combined to produce the multiple layered film65.

With the windows 60 of the top card 10 positioned within the perimeter70 of the film 65 and completely and firmly covered by the film 65, theproduct assemblies and/or the products 4 may extend outwardly throughthe windows 60 and/or may extend, stretch and/or push the film 65outward with respect to the top side of the top card 10 when the topcard 10 and the bottom card 20 is joined together. As a result, the film65 may be contoured to one or more outer surfaces of the products 4and/or the product assemblies, and/or the products 4 may be completelyenclosed between the stretched film 65 and the top side of the bottomcard 20 and/or the carriers 30. By completely enclosing or protectingthe products 4 within the system 2, the stretched film 65, the top card10 and/or the bottom card 20, may prevent or reduce theft of, damage to,destruction of, opening of, activating of, tampering with andcontamination of the products 4 by completely enclosing the products 4within the system 2. Additionally, when the top card 10 and the bottomcard 20 are joined together, the carriers 3 and/or the products 4 arelocated between the stretched film 65 and the bottom card 20 such thatthe products 4 may be completely and/or totally covered or enclosedwithin the system 2. Joining the top card 10 and the bottom card 20together may cause the products 4 to push and/or stretch the film 65around at least a front portion of the products 4 and/or productassemblies located within the system 2 as shown in FIG. 2.

In embodiments, the carriers 30 may have an overall width W1 at thepoint of attachment 52 which may be preferably less than or equal to anoverall width W2 of the products 4 at the point of attachment 52 via thesecurity band 50 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In embodiments, the carriers30 may have a radius width R1, at the point of attachment 52, of thecarriers 30, the products 4 may have a radius width R2 at the point ofattachment 52, and the radius width R1 of the carriers 30 may be smallerthan the radius width R2 of the products 4. In an embodiment, the radiuswidth R1 of the carriers 30, at the point of attachment 52, may be, forexample, less than about one-quarter of an inch, less than aboutone-eighth of an inch, or about one-sixteenth of an inch smaller, oneach side, than the radius width R2 of the products 4, at the point ofattachment 52. As a result, the overall width W1 of the carriers 30, atthe point of attachment 52, may be, for example, less than about onehalf of an inch, less than about one-quarter of an inch, or aboutone-eighth of an inch less than the overall width W2 of the products, atthe point of attachment 52. With the carriers 30 having smaller orlesser overall width W1 and/or radius width R1, at the point ofattachment 52, than the overall width W2 and/or radius width R2, at thepoint of attachment 52, of the products 4, the security bands 50 maytightly and firmly connect or banded the products 4 to the carriers 30.As a result, the product 4 may be tightly and firmly wrapped, banded,connected and/or attached to the carriers 30 via the security bands 50.In an embodiment, the indented portion 36 of the carrier 30 may comprisethe smaller or lesser overall width W1 and/or radius width R1 for firmbanding of products 4 to the carriers 30 at the point of attachment 52.

The carriers 30 may preferably have a length, a perimeter and/or a widthabove and/or below the point of attachment (i.e., the width of the upperportion 34 and/or the lower portion 38 as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6)which may be greater than a length, a perimeter and/or overall width ofthe windows 60 formed in the top card 10. Thus, when the system 2 may beassembled, the length, the perimeter and/or the width W1 of the carriers30 will preferably extend beyond at least one and preferably beyond bothopposite edges of the windows 60 of the top card 10. For example, thetop and bottom ends of the carrier 30 may extend beyond the top andbottom edges of the window 60. In an embodiment, at least a portion ofleft and right edges of the carrier 30 may extend beyond the left andright edges of the window 60. As a result, the carriers 30, the products4 and/or the product assemblies may be held, maintained, restrictedand/or further secured within the system 2 by the edges of the windows60 of the top card 10 and the greater length, perimeter and/or width ofthe carriers 30. Moreover, the edges of the windows 60 and the greaterlength, perimeter and/or width of the carriers 30 may prevent theproducts 4 from being separated from the system 2 to provide greater oradditional anti-tampering protection.

For example, if someone attempted to separate the products 4 from thesystem 2 by pulling the products through the windows 60, the edges ofthe windows 60 would hold, maintain, restrict and/or secure the carriers30 within the system 2. As a result, someone attempting to remove orseparate the products 4 from the system 2 will have to disassembleand/or destroy the system 2 because of the greater anti-theft protectionprovided by the carriers 30, the security bands 50, the edges of thewindows 60 and/or the stretched film 65 of the system 2. Additionally,the carriers 30, the security bands 50, the edges of the windows 60, theadhesive layers 62, 64 and/or the stretched film 65 of the system 2 mayprovide added security to the products 4 by preventing damage to ordestruction of the products 4, physical tampering with the products 4,such as, opening or activating the products 4, and/or contamination ofthe products 4, such as, reducing the products 4 exposure to dust, dirtand/or surrounding environmental conditions and/or elements.

In embodiments, the system 2 may package and/or protect one or moreproducts 4 without use of the carrier 30 and the security band 50 asshown in FIGS. 7-10. Additionally, the top card 10 and the bottom card20 may be hinged together such that the top card 10 may be folded overonto the bottom card 20 or the bottom card 20 may be folded over ontothe top card 10 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The system 2, having thehinged top and bottom cards 10, 20, may be assembled by hand and/orwithout the use of any assembly machine.

FIG. 7 shows a system 2 comprising the top card 10 and bottom card 20joined together whereby the top card 10 has the windows 60 formedtherein. The film 65 may be adhered to the back side of the top card 10and may cover a portion of the windows 60. As a result, the film 65forms a expandable pocket with the bottom card 20 such that the product4 may be inserted into the expandable pocket formed by the film 65. Theproduct 4 may be inserted into the expandable pocket at a top edge ofthe film 65 and moved downward into the expandable pocket formed betweenthe film 65 of the top side of the bottom card 20. As a result, theproduct 4 may be packaged and/or protected within the expandable pocketof system 2 formed between the film 65 and the bottom card 20.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the top and bottom cards 10, 20 connected togethervia a hinge 80 that may be located between edges of the top and bottomcards 10, 20. For example, the hinge 80 by be located between the bottomedges of the top and bottom cards 10, 20. However, in other embodiments,the hinge may be located between side edges or top edges of the top andbottom cards 10, 20. The hinge 80 may comprise scoring 82 which mayextend an entire length of the hinge 80 or at least a portion of thelength of the hinge 80. The scoring 82 of the hinge 80 may facilitate oraid in folding the top and bottom cards 10, 20 onto each other toassembly the system 2. The scoring 82 may be formed by known scoringtechniques, such as, for example, die-cutting or the like. As a result,the scoring 82 of the hinge 80 may facilitate or allow the top andbottom cards 10, 20 to be folded onto each other to assembly the system2 by hand and/or without the use of any assembly machine.

The system 2, shown in FIG. 8 has a top card 10 having windows 60 formedtherein whereby the film 65 is connected to the bottom side of the topcard 10 such that the windows 60 of the top card 10 are covered by thefilm 65. The bottom card 20 has windows 60 formed therein whereby thefilm 65 is connected and/or adhered to the top side of the bottom cardsuch that the windows 60 of the bottom card 20 are covered by the film65. In embodiments, perimeters of the windows 60 of the top and bottomcards 10, 20 may be the same or substantially similar shapes, sizesand/or dimensions. The bottom edges of the top and bottom cards 10, 20are hinged together via the hinge 80 having the scoring 82 thereon. As aresult, the top and bottom cards may be folded over onto each other viathe hinge 80 and/or thee scoring 82.

At a portion or section of the film 65 located within the window 60 ofthe top and/or bottom cards 10, 20 may have or be provided with anadhering means 84. The adhering means 84 may be applied, attached,adhered to a side of the film 65 facing away from bottom side of the topcard 10 and/or the top side of the bottom card 20 by applicationtechniques as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The adheringmeans 84 may be selected from a pressure-sensitive adhesive, acrosslinkable adhesive, a heat-activatable adhesive, hotmelt adhesive, acohesive, a double sided tape, a single sided tape with an adhesive onits back side and combinations thereof. In embodiments, the adheringmeans 84 may be clear or semi-clear adhesive that does not restrictvisibility through the adhering means 84. It should be understood thatthe present disclosure should not be deemed limited to a specificembodiment of the adhering means 84 and/or the one or more portions ofthe film 65 which may receive the adhering means 84.

The product 4 may be connect, attached and/or adhered to the adheringmean 84 of the film 65 connected to the top and bottom cards 10, 20. Forexample, the product 4 may be positioned on and/or connected to theadhering means 84 of the film 65 that is connected to the bottom card 20as shown in FIG. 8. As a result, the product 4 may be connected,attached and/or adhered to the bottom card 20 and/or the film 65 via theadhering means 84 and the product 4 may be positioned or located withinthe window 60 of the bottom card 20. The adhering means 84 may aidassembly of the system 2 and may facilitate proper placement of theproduct 4 within the window 60 of the bottom card 20. The top and bottomcards 10, 20 may be folded onto each other along the scoring 82 of thehinge 80 to assembly the system 2 and package the product 4 within thesystem 2. As a result, the product 4 may be positioned, packaged and/orprotected between the films 65 of the top and bottom cards 10, 20.

Prior to folding the top and bottom cards 10, 20 onto each other toassembly the system 2, a sealing means 86 may be applied, positionedand/or located on one or more portions of the bottom side of the topcard 10 and/or the top side of the bottom card 20 that are free of thefilm 65 or do not comprise the film 65. For example, the sealing means86 may be applied to a portion of the bottom side of the top card 10above the top edge of the film 65 connected to the top card 10 as shownin FIG. 8. In embodiments, the sealing means 86 may be applied to one ormore of the bottom side of the top card 10 and/or the top side of thebottom card 20 that are around, adjacent to or surrounding the film 65,the adhering means 84 and/or the product 4 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.The sealing means 86 may be applied to the bottom side of the top card10 and/or the top side of the bottom card 20 may application techniquesas known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The sealing means 86 maybe selected from a hotmelt adhesive, a cold glue, a cohesive, a doublesided tape, a single sided tape with an adhesive on its back side, ananimal glue and combinations thereof. The present disclosure should notbe deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the sealing means 86 orthe one or more portions of the top and bottom cards 10, 20 that mayreceive the sealing means 86.

When the top and bottom cards 10, 20 are folded over onto each other,the sealing means 86 positioned on the bottom side of the top card 10and/or the top side of the bottom card 20 connects, attaches and/oradheres the top and bottom card 10, 20 together such that the top andbottom cards 10, 20 are sealed together to form the system 2. As aresult, the system 2 is sealed and the product 4 is sealed within thesystem 2. When the top and bottom cards 10, 20 are folded onto eachother a first portion of the product 4 pushes against and stretches thefilm 65 of the top card 10 outward with respect to the top side of thetop card 10 through the window 60 of the top card 10 and pushes againstand stretches the film 65 of the bottom card 20 outward with respect tothe bottom side of the back card 20 through the window of the bottomcard 20. As a result, the product 4 is enclosed, sealed and/orencapsulated within the films 65 of the top and bottom cards 10, 20. Inembodiments, a front portion of the product 4 is encapsulated within thefilm 65 of the top card 10 and a back portion of the product 4 isencapsulated within the film 65 of the bottom card 20.

The sealing means 86 has a high adhesive strength such that the system 2may not be easily opened to prevent theft of the product 4. However, theadhesive strength of the sealing means 86 may be low such the system 2may be opened by hand, or without the use of tools, and the product 4may be accessed and/or subsequently utilized. The adhering means 84 mayhave an adhesive strength that is less than the adhesive strength of thesealing means 86. However, the adhesive strength of the adhering meansis configured such that the product 4 is maintain within the window 60while the system 2 is sealed and is easily removable from the film 65after the system 2 has been opened.

The system 2, shown in FIG. 9, has a top card 10, which is similar tothe top card 10 shown in FIG. 8. However, in this embodiment, the topcard 10 is hinged to a bottom card 20, which is free of any windows, viathe hinge 80 having the scoring 82 therein. The bottom card 20 iscontinuous with no opening formed therein, one or more adhering means 84may be applied to the top side of the bottom card 20 a one or morepositions that align with the windows 60 formed in the top card 10 whenthe top and bottom cards are folded over onto each other. Moreover, oneor more sealing means are applied to one or more portions of the topside of the bottom card 20 that are free of the one or more adheringmeans 84. For example, two adhering means 84 are applied to a middleportion of the top side of the bottom card 20 and the sealing means 86is applied to a top portion and/or a bottom portion of the top side ofthe bottom card 20 as shown in FIG. 9. The adhering means 84 and/or thesealing means 86 may extend in a lengthwise direction or a widthwisedirection of the bottom card 20 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. For example,the adhering means 84 may be located between the sealing means 86 andmay extend in the lengthwise direction of the bottom card 20, and thesealing means 86 may extend in the widthwise direction of the bottomcard 20 as shown in FIG. 9.

The products 4 may be positioned and/or located on the adhering means 84of the bottom card 20, and, as a result, the products 4 may beconnected, attached and/or adhered to the bottom card 20 via theadhering means 84. The top and bottom cards 10, 20 may be folded, alongthe scoring 84 of the hinge 82, over onto each other to assembly thesystem 2. As a result, a portion of the products 4 may push againstand/or stretch the films 65 of the top card 10 outwardly with respect tothe top side of the top card 10 through the windows of the top card 10.The sealing means 86 of the bottom card 10 may adhere and/or seal thetop and bottom cards 10, 20 together to form the system 2. As a result,the products 4 may be enclosed, encapsulated, housed and/or packagedbetween the films 65 of the top card 10 and the top side of the bottomcard 20.

FIG. 10 shows the system 2 having the top card 10 with the window 60formed therein and the film 65 connected to the bottom side of the topcard 10 and covering the window 60 of the top card 10. The bottom card20 may have a fold-out portion 90 (hereinafter “portion 90”) formedthereon, which may be folded outwardly with respect to the top side ofthe bottom card 20. As a result, the top surface of the portion 90 maybe alleviated with respect to the remaining portions of the top side ofthe bottom card 20. The portion may be formed in the bottom card 20 byformation techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as,for example, die-cutting or the like. The top surface of the portion 90may be sized, shaped and/or configure to receive at least a portion ofthe product 4. For example, the top surface of the portion 90 may have awidth and/or a length that may correspond to at least a portion of theproduct 4. In embodiment, the top surface of the portion 90 may be sizedand/or shaped to be the same as or substantially similar to the sizeand/or shape of the carrier 30 shown in, for example, FIG. 1.

The adhering means 84 may be applied to the top surface of the portion90, and the product 4 may be positioned or located on the adhering means84 of the portion 90. As a result, the product 4 may be connected,attached and/or adhered to be the bottom card 20 via the adhering means84 and/or the portion 90. In an embodiment, the portion 90 may be freeof the adhering means 84 and the security band 50 may be utilized toconnect, attach and/or secure the product 4 to the portion 90 (not shownin the drawings) As a result, the product 4 may be connected, attachedand/or secured to the bottom card 20 via the security band 50 and/or theportion 90. One or more sealing means 86 may be applied to the top sideof the bottom card 20 for joining the top and bottom cards 10, 20 afterthe product 4 have been connected to the portion 90 of the bottom card20. For example, more than one sealing means 86 may be applied to thetop side of the bottom card 20 such that the more than one sealing means86 surround the portion 90 as shown in FIG. 10. In embodiment, the topand bottom cards may be hinged together via the hinge 80 (not shown inthe drawings).

After the product 4 is connected to the portion 90 of the bottom card20, the top and bottom cards 10, 20 may be joined together, and at leasta portion of the product 4 may push against and/or stretch the film 65of the top card 10 outwardly with respect to the top side of the topcard 10 through the window 60 of the top card 10. As a result, theproduct 4 may be enclosed, encapsulated, housed and packaged between thefilm 65 of the top card 10 and the portion 90 of the bottom card 20. Thesealing means 86 of the bottom card 20 may connected, attach, adhereand/or seal the top and bottom cards 10, 20 together to form the system6. As a result, the product 4 may be enclosed, packaged, protectedand/or sealed within the system 2.

In embodiments, the top card 10 may be placed facedown onto a conveyerbelt system (not shown in the drawing) such that the top side o the topcard 10 is adjacent to the conveyer belt system. The conveyer beltsystem comprises at least one cradle (not shown in the drawing) which issized and shaped to receive the top card 10 and/or the product 4 thatmay be subsequently positioned and/or located within the window 60 ofthe top card 10. The cradle may have at least one cavity sized, shapedand/or configured to receive the product 4 after the product 4 stretchesthe film 65 of the top card and extends outwardly with respect to thetop surface of the top card 10 through the window 60 of the top card 10.In embodiments, the size, shape and configuration of the at least onecavity of the cradle may be the same as or substantially similar to thesize, shape and configuration of the product 4. With the top card 10positioned and/or located on the cradle of the conveyer belt system, theproduct is placed, positioned and/or located on the film 65 of the topcard 10 and within the window 60 of the top card 10. In an embodiment,the product 4 may be dropped or forced directly into the window 60 ofthe top card and the cavity of the cradle. As a result, the product 4may push against and/or stretch the film 65 outwardly with respect tothe top side of the top card 10 through the window 60 of the top card 10and into the cavity of the cradle.

The adhering means 84 may be applied to at least a portion of the film65 located within the window 60 of the top card 10 prior to the productbeing positioned or located within the window 60. As a result, theproduct 4 may be connected, attached and/or adhered to the film 65located within the window 60 of the top card 10 via the adhering means84. The bottom card 20, having one or more sealing means 86 applied tothe top side of the bottom card 20, may be positioned directly adjacentto and/or over the bottom side of the top card 10. The top side of thebottom card 20 may be applied to, joined to and/or compressed onto thebottom side of the top card 10, and the one or more sealing means 86positioned on the top side of the bottom card 20 may connect, attach,adhere and/or seal the top and bottom cards 10, 20 together to assemblythe system 2. As a result, the product 4 may be enclosed, encapsulatedand housed between the film 65 of the top card 10 and the top side ofthe bottom card 20. Moreover, the product 4 may be packed, protectedand/or sealed within the assembled system 2. In embodiments, the top andbottom cards 10, 20 are hinged together via the hinge 80 (not shown inthe drawing) and the system 2 may be assembled by folding, along thehinge 80, the top and bottom cards 10, 20 onto each other to enclose orencapsulate the product 4 between the film 65 of the top card 10 and thetop side of the bottom card 20.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems and/or methods. Also, variouspresently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by thoseskilled in the art, and are also intended to be encompassed by thepresent disclosure.

1. A blister card system for packaging at least one retail product, the system comprising: a top card having a top side, a bottom side located opposite to the top side of the top card and at least one window extending through the top card from the top side to the bottom side of the top card; a security band attaching a retail product to a carrier at a point of attachment; at least a portion of a bottom card connected to at least a portion of the bottom side of the top card, wherein at least a portion of the carrier is located between the top and bottom cards, and further wherein at least a portion of the retail product extends outwardly, with respect to the top side of the top card, through the at least one window of the top card.
 2. The blister card system according to claim 1, wherein a width of the carrier at a point of attachment is substantially equal to or less than a width of the retail product at the point of attachment.
 3. The blister card system according to claim 1, wherein the security band is an elastic band wrapped, in a widthwise direction, around the carrier and the retail product.
 4. The blister card system according to claim 1, further comprising: an adhesive layer adhering the carrier to at least a portion of the bottom card.
 5. The blister card system according to claim 1, wherein a length of the carrier is greater than a length of the at least one window formed in the top card such that top and bottom ends of the carrier extend beyond top and bottom edges of the at least one window.
 6. The blister card system according to claim 1, further comprising: a stretchable film covering the at least one window formed in the top card and at least a portion of the retail product.
 7. The blister card system according to claim 1, wherein a width of a portion of the carrier is greater than a width of the at least one window formed in the top card such that opposite edges of the width of the carrier extends beyond side edges of the width of the at least one window.
 8. A blister card system for packaging at least one retail product, the system comprising: a top card having a top side, a bottom side located opposite to the top side of the top card and at least one window extending through the top card from the top side to the bottom side of the top card; at least one product assembly comprising a retail product and a carrier, wherein a width of the carrier, at least at a point along a length of the carrier, is less than a width of the retail product, at a point along a length of the retail product; at least a portion of a bottom card connected to at least a portion of the bottom side of the top card, wherein a first portion of the at least one product assembly is located between the top and bottom cards, and further wherein a second portion of the at least one product assembly is located within the at least one window formed in the top card.
 9. The blister card system according to claim 8, further comprising: a security band attaching the retail product to the carrier to form the at least one product assembly.
 10. The blister card system according to claim 9, wherein the security band is an elastic band wrapped, in a widthwise direction, around the retail product and the carrier.
 11. The blister card system according to claim 8, further comprising: an adhesive layer adhering the carrier to at least a portion of the bottom card.
 12. The blister card system according to claim 8, wherein a length of the carrier is greater than a length of the at least one window formed in the top card such that top and bottom ends of the carrier extend beyond top and bottom edges of the at least one window.
 13. The blister card system according to claim 8, further comprising: a stretchable film covering the at least one window formed in the top card and at least a portion of the retail product.
 14. The blister card system according to claim 13, wherein the stretchable film is attached to a portion of the bottom side of the top card.
 15. A method for packaging a retail product, the method comprising: providing a cradle on a conveyer belt system, wherein the cradle comprises a cavity configured to receive the retail product; positioning a top card on the cradle such that a top side of the top card is adjacent to the cavity of the cradle, wherein the top card has a window formed therein and the window is covered with a stretchable film and configured to receive the retail product, wherein the stretchable film is connected to a bottom side of the top card that is located opposite to the top side of the top card; positioning the retail product within the window of the top card and the cavity of the cradle such that the retail product extends outwardly, with respect to the top side of the top card, through the window formed in the top card and into the cavity of the cradle; and joining at least one portion of a bottom card to the bottom side of the top card via sealing means.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: dropping the retail product into the window of the top card and the cavity of the cradle before adhering the at least one portion of the bottom card to the bottom side of the top card.
 17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: adhering at least a portion of the retail product to a least a portion of the stretchable film of the top card via an adhering means, wherein the portion of the stretchable film is located within the window of the top card.
 18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: adhering at least a portion of the retail product to a portion of the bottom card before joining the top and bottom cards together.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the portion of the bottom card is a fold-out portion that extends outwardly with respect to the top side of the bottom card.
 20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: extending at least a portion of the retail product outwardly with respect to a bottom side of the bottom card through a window formed through the bottom card when the top and bottom card are joined, wherein the bottom side of the bottom card is located opposite with respect to the top card. 